Austin is Chicago community area 25, a 7.1-square-mile area on the West Side, about 7 miles from the Loop. Austin is one of Chicago’s largest community areas, on the city’s west edge next to Oak Park. It has a large stock of houses and two-to-six-unit buildings, with the Green Line along Lake Street and the Blue Line along the Eisenhower Expressway.
Also known as or includes: Galewood, South Austin.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Outline: City of Chicago community area boundary for Austin. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
At a glance: Austin
| Fact | Figure |
|---|---|
| Community area number | 25 |
| Part of the city | West Side |
| Size | 7.1 square miles |
| Borders | Belmont Cragin, Humboldt Park, Montclare, North Lawndale, West Garfield Park |
| Parcels in the Assessor’s 2026 file | 22,618 |
| Houses and townhouses | 9,370 (41%) |
| Buildings with 2–6 units | 7,088 (31%) |
| Condo units | 801 (4%) |
| CTA ‘L’ stations inside the area | 5 (Blue and Green) |
| City Council wards | 29th, 37th, 28th, 24th Wards |
Homes you will find in Austin
The Cook County Assessor’s 2026 file lists 22,618 parcels in Austin. 41% are houses or townhouses, 31% are buildings with two to six units, and 4% are condo units. There are also 498 apartment buildings with seven or more units.
No single home type dominates, so buyers can compare a condo, a house or a two-flat in the same area. Each one fits different loans: condos need building approval for some loans, and two- to four-unit buildings you live in can be financed with FHA. See mortgage options for first-time buyers.
HomeGrown grants can be used for one- and two-unit homes, condos and townhomes, and the grant amount depends on income and on where in the city the home is. IHDAccess Home is available statewide. Compare the two on our side-by-side page.
Getting around
5 CTA ‘L’ stations are inside Austin’s boundary: Austin (Green Line), Central (Green Line, accessible), Cicero (Green Line, accessible), Cicero (Blue Line), and Laramie (Green Line, accessible).
Parks and libraries
Chicago Park District facilities sit in 17 parks inside Austin: Amundsen Park, Austin Park, Austin Town Hall Park, Clark Park, Columbus Park, Cottonwood Park, Davis Park, DeGeorge Park, Galewood Park, Hazelnut Park, Hubbard Park, La Follette Park, Levin Park, Moore Park, Ohio Park, Rutherford Sayre Park, and Sweet Clover Park. The Chicago Public Library has the Austin branch, the North Austin branch, and the West Chicago Avenue branch here.
City Council wards
Austin is split among 4 wards. The largest share of its land is in the 29th Ward (about 49%), with the rest in the 37th (35%), the 28th (10%), and the 24th (5%). Ward lines do not follow community area lines, so check an exact address with the City’s ward lookup before you contact an alderperson’s office about zoning, permits or city services.
Neighboring community areas
Austin borders Belmont Cragin, Humboldt Park, Montclare, North Lawndale, and West Garfield Park. See all 77 community areas.
Common questions
Is Austin mostly houses or condos?
A mix: 41% of its parcels are houses or townhouses, 31% are 2–6 unit buildings and 4% are condo units. These shares are from the Cook County Assessor’s 2026 parcel file.
Is there an ‘L’ station in Austin?
Yes. Austin has 5 CTA ‘L’ stations on the Blue and Green lines.
What ward is Austin in?
It is split among the 29th, 37th, 28th, and 24th Wards. Check a specific address with the City of Chicago’s ward lookup.
Can I use HomeGrown to buy a home in Austin?
HomeGrown is a City of Chicago program, so homes in Austin can qualify if the buyer and the property meet its rules. The grant amount depends on household income and the home’s location. See our HomeGrown guide for the current rules.
Sources
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Boundaries – Community Areas
- Cook County Assessor, Parcel Universe (tax year 2026)
- City of Chicago Data Portal, CTA ‘L’ stops
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Chicago Park District park facilities
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Chicago Public Library locations
- City of Chicago Data Portal, Ward boundaries (2023–)
Boundaries, size and neighbors are measured from the City’s official community area boundary. ‘L’ stations, parks and libraries are placed inside the boundary by their coordinates; ward shares are approximate shares of land area. Parcel counts are from the Assessor’s tax year 2026 file, counted October 4, 2026. Houses include townhouses; condo units are counted one parcel per unit.
Cite this page: Chicago First Time Home Buyer, “Austin, Chicago: A Neighborhood Guide for First-Time Buyers,” reviewed October 4, 2026, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/buying-process/chicago-neighborhoods/austin/.